Irshalgad is a pinnacle, not a fort, located in the Karjat region near Mumbai. While it does not have much historical significance as a fort, it would have come under Maratha rule when Shivaji Maharaj captured the region in 1666. The pinnacle is a challenging climb requiring rock climbing equipment. It offers scenic views of surrounding forts like Prabalgad and Matheran once at the top.

1. इ
इशार्लगड
ड Elevation 365 m (1213 ft)
365 m (1213 ft)
Irshalgad – A pinnacle, not fort Location Chowk ‐ Karjat

2. Irshalgad
Irshaalgad is a fort situated in the Karjat Region. Other forts in this region include Prabalgad and
Malanggad. While driving along the Mumbai Pune highway, the forts of Malanggad, Devni
M l d Whil d i i l h M b iP hi h h f fM l d D i
Pinnacle, Matheran, Peb, Mhasmal, Prabalgad, Irshal attract one’s attention. The population in
this area is quite normal. Because of the very heavy rainfall in this region, the most cultivated
crop is rice. As the fort is very near to the highway, the approach road to the base village is
available.
available
The name Irshaalgad itself is a misnomer; Irshal is not a fort but actually a pinnacle. This is the
reason why it hardly figures anywhere in history. Shivaji Maharaj captured the complete region
of Kalyan and Bhiwandi, up to Rairi in May 1666. This fort too, must have come under the
of Kalyan and Bhiwandi up to Rairi in May 1666 This fort too must have come under the
Maratha rule at that time. Irshal is the next‐door neighbour to Prabalgad. A sad incident
occurred on this pinnacle on January 23, 1972. Kumar Prakash Durve lost his life after falling
down from this pinnacle on that day. To remember this day, all the trekkers from the Mumbai –
Thane region assemble here on January 26 every year.
As mentioned above, Irshal is a pinnacle. There is a water tank on the route from the Irshal
plateau to the peak. From there, we reach the needle hole near the top through a simple rock‐
climbing route. Proceeding little ahead, we see a water tank to the left and a cave to the right.
This water is suitable for drinking. The route, which climbs up from near the needle hole goes to
the top of the pinnacle. To reach the top of the pinnacle, it is essential to have artificial rock
climbing equipment. From the top we can see the forts of Prabalgad, Matheran, Chanderi,
Malanggad, Karnala and Manikgad.

4. Irshalgad

5. The
School
Pinnacle
Irshal wadi

6. Morbe Dam

8. Irshalwadi School where
we stayed at night

9. A hut in Irshalwadi where we
had dinner and breakfast

10. Waiting for dinner to be ready

11. Srinath's telescope for star
gazing fascinated villagers

12. Anil communicating with
children of Irshalgad

13. Good morning!
Anil and Yuvraj

14. Next day morning we
climbed up the hill seen
behind Rajeev

15. Srinath exploring the climb?

16. We are on the hillock

17. Other side of hillock

18. Pinnacle
Prabalgad

19. An apple a day...
Srinath and Yuvraj

20. Anil in deep thoght?

21. Anil, Srinath and Yuvraj

22. Yuvraj and a local
boy as guide

23. Anil and Srinath

24. Srinath
Prabalgad

25. Rajeev trying his cinematic skills
on Srinath, Anil and Yuvraj

26. The Team:
Srinath, Anil, Yuvraj and Rajeev

27. Un spoilt
Un hurried
Un touched
Un confined
Un expected
Un conquered
Un paralleled
Un paralleled
Un matched
Un stressed
Un stressed
Un limited
Standing as silent sentinels to history are the 350‐odd forts of Maharashtra. Beaten by
g y y
the sea waves, lashed at by the torrential Deccan rains, or scorched in the blazing sun,
stand imposing ramparts and crumbling walls , the last lingering memories of
Maharashtra's martial times. Nowhere in the country would you encounter such a
profusion of forts. And such variety. Sited on an island, or guarding the seas or among
the Sahyadri hills, whose zig‐zag walls and rounded bastions sit like a scepter and
crown amidst hills turned mauve.